Who developed Spain's new port UAS guidelines?

The guidelines were jointly developed by Puertos del Estado and the Port Authority of Málaga, with participation from Spain's various port authorities. INECO and ENAIRE provided support, while SENASA, ITG, and ITE contributed technical expertise.

What do the guidelines cover?

The guidelines address five key areas: governance structure, the applicable regulatory framework, operational management of drone missions, counter-UAS protection against unauthorized drones, and typical UAS application scenarios in port environments.

How are drones currently being used in Spanish ports?

Drones are already deployed across multiple Spanish ports for perimeter patrol and security surveillance, infrastructure inspection, topographic surveying and mapping, emergency incident management, and maritime surface monitoring.

Spain's Port Authority Publishes UAS Integration…

Spain's Port Authority Publishes UAS Integration Guidelines to Standardize Drone Operations Across National Ports

Spain's national port body Puertos del Estado and the Port Authority of Málaga have jointly released a comprehensive guideline for unmanned aircraft system (UAS) use in port environments. Developed with input from multiple Spanish port authorities and technical partners including INECO, ENAIRE, SENASA, ITG, and ITE, the document provides a unified regulatory, operational, and organizational framework to support the safe and coordinated integration of drones across Spain's state-owned port system.

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Highlights

Puertos del Estado and the Port Authority of Málaga jointly published UAS integration guidelines covering governance, regulation, operations, and counter-drone protection for Spain's state-owned port system.

The document was developed with participation from multiple Spanish port authorities and technical input from INECO, ENAIRE, SENASA, ITG, and ITE.

Secretary General Benito Núñez stated that UAS deployment must be grounded in flight safety, efficient airspace management, and coexistence with other aviation and non-aviation activities.

Drones are already actively used in Spanish ports for perimeter security, infrastructure inspection, topographic surveying, emergency management, and maritime surface monitoring.

The guideline is designated as a 'living reference' intended to evolve with the port system and underpin future digitalization and innovation initiatives.

Spain's national port authority Puertos del Estado and the Port Authority of Málaga have jointly published a guideline on the use and application of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) in port environments. The document was developed with the participation of Spain's various port authorities and received support from INECO and ENAIRE, along with technical contributions from SENASA, ITG, and ITE. The guideline aims to provide a common framework for the gradual, safe, and coordinated integration of UAS across Spain's state-owned port system.

Scope of the Guidelines

The document addresses several key areas:

Governance structure: Defining management responsibilities at each level
Regulatory framework: Mapping existing applicable regulations
Operational management: Standardizing drone mission execution procedures
Counter-UAS protection: Responding to unauthorized drone intrusions
Key UAS technology applications: Identifying typical use cases in port environments

Officials Emphasize Importance of Integration

Speaking at the launch event, Benito Núñez, Secretary General for Aviation and Maritime Transport, noted that while UAS offer significant benefits, their deployment must continue to be built on the foundations of flight safety, efficient airspace management, and coexistence with other aviation and non-aviation activities.

Gustavo Santana, President of Puertos del Estado, described the new guideline as a starting point from which UAS integration into the port system will continue to advance in a coordinated manner.

Carlos Rubio, President of the Port Authority of Málaga, also highlighted the significance of the initiative, noting that it comes at a critical moment and responds to a growing demand for standardized operating procedures — driven by the increasing use of drones both by port authorities for public area surveillance and by private operators for a wide range of commercial purposes.

Current Drone Applications in Spanish Ports

Drones are already in active use across several Spanish ports, with primary applications including:

Perimeter patrol and security surveillance
Infrastructure inspection
Topographic surveying and mapping
Emergency incident management
Maritime surface monitoring

Looking Ahead

Puertos del Estado intends the guideline to serve as a shared reference framework for UAS integration in port environments, addressing regulatory, operational, and organizational challenges. The document is positioned as a living reference — one that will evolve alongside the port system and serve as a foundation for future innovation and digitalization initiatives.

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